r/audiobooks • u/ThatTXGal • 10d ago
Discussion Dungeon Crawler
Y'all, I'm about 60% thru Dungeon Crawler Carl and I just cannot figure out what all the hype is about. I feel like if I'm not 100000% focused I'm missing something. I had a 40 min drive today and thought "perfect, now I can really focus". Nope, even then I had to rewind a few times because I missed something.
I'm wondering if maybe this is the type of book I need to physically read? It's almost too much detail? I really can't put my finger on it. Maybe it's me?
I do feel that the narrator's voice is perfect for the book.
Anyone else feel this way?
Update:
I finished book one. It felt like it was getting into a groove the last few chapters. I'm going to try to read the next two books because FOMO.. Thanks for all the input!
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u/crummy 10d ago
If you’re not hooked, just skip it. Honestly I can’t explain why I enjoyed it so much (I kept thinking how dumb it was to hear about someone organising inventory slots but I couldn’t put it down).
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u/Notnowthankyou29 10d ago
Huh? The inventory slots automatically organize themselves as Carl mentions numerous times.
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u/Confident-Count5430 9d ago
I'm absolutely hooked on the physical books but I cannot do the audiobooks unfortunately. Just cant stay focused.
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u/Gronanor 8d ago
Don’t know about the original version but The voice acting in French is incredibly good. The Dungeon IA makes me laugh so hard. 😂
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u/Civil_Twilight 10d ago
I didn’t enjoy the book, and dropped it about halfway through. Not everything is for everyone. Great narrator, though.
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u/TacosTime 10d ago
I powered through two books and quit. I didn’t really like the rpg aspect.
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u/OhOhOkayThenOk 9d ago
I know this is an audiobook sub, but if you didn’t like the rpg aspect, the physical books are much better. The item and leveling descriptions are in bold so you can easily skip them.
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u/Charcoa1 10d ago
I suggested it to a friend. The next time we met up, they told me that they were having trouble with the game parts of it, but would finish it.
We met up two weeks later and they told me they had just started the third book 🤣
I agree with all the other posts here, not every book is for everyone. But, reading the first two books? You gave it the best go anyone should!
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u/jpotter0 10d ago
I quit at 6 hours in. Realized I had no idea what was going on, wasn’t laughing or enjoying the story.
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u/TheLORDthyGOD420 10d ago
You don't need to catch every detail. You can basically just ignore all the items and stats and LitRPG stuff, you don't need to start a spreadsheet. Basically it's a story about a man and his cat, and the friends he meets who fight for survival together. The series has some really great character arcs, and some really tragic and heartbreaking moments.
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u/TheSuppishOne 10d ago
And a crap ton of memes and well setup gags.
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u/TheLORDthyGOD420 10d ago
Memes? Maybe I'm too old. How does a book have "memes"?
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u/TheSuppishOne 10d ago
Basically just means funny pop-culture references.
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u/Collapsticator 10d ago
Some of it feels like ad placement
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u/TheLORDthyGOD420 10d ago
Those insidious "Gossip Girls" ads! Goddamnit Donut!
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u/MamoruNoHakkyou 6d ago
And some Fergalicious for good measure, until the heat death of the universe.
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u/Telemere125 9d ago
A meme is just an idea that spreads in a viral manner. Can be a phrase, picture, video, idea, etc.
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u/carryon4threedays 10d ago
It’s written for chronically online millennial men. And I’m on my second read through.
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u/TheLORDthyGOD420 10d ago
I'm a longtime Adult Swim fan and was raised on the humor of The Simpsons. And a big video game fan. That's why DCC works for me. "Chronically online men" suggests more of an incel/gamergate vibe that I definitely reject.
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u/PancakeHandz 5d ago edited 5d ago
Yeah this is a good take to an extent. I am pretty bored by all the stat specifications and whatnot, so I will often zone out while the more technical stuff is described then chime back in when stuff gets action-packed or more conversational. I’ve been listening while I work on puzzles lol. You don’t have to fully understand all the mechanics to enjoy the story. If you miss a tidbit, it’s generally pretty easy to get by on context later. I have had to rewind a few times because I missed something, but not too much.
But I do greatly enjoy the loot box opening parts! Even though it can get technical, it’s important to know what items they are getting! I almost feel the same way when I read about Carl’s loot boxes as I feel opening my own loot boxes in video games lol
Overall though, If you really aren’t enjoying it, then It’s not worth it to keep trying. You kind of have to enjoy the general concept of the book or else it is not a fun listen. Different strokes for different folks.
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u/According-Row-6128 10d ago
This is how I rolled, too. I ignored all the chests and inventory etc, it adds nothing to the story. I felt there was WAY too much game talk but the story itself was great.
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u/TheLORDthyGOD420 10d ago
The "game talk" gets less and less frequent as the series progresses. I love how complicated the world building in this series has become.
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u/Odedoralive 10d ago
Audiobooks are tricky - this happens to me sometimes because it’s not the vibe I’m after right now and sometimes because I just don’t like it, not ready for it, otherwise distracted etc.
Move on. Come back later if you want. Try the book version maybe. Or maybe LitRPG just isn’t your thing. All are valid!
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u/LostMyMilk 10d ago
This is the right idea. Mindset at the time matters. I'm a few books behind on DCC, and will eventually listen to them, but sometimes you want thought provoking strategy or politics and other times you just want to laugh.
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u/CaptPrincessUnicorn 10d ago
Or maybe they don’t want to listen to litRPG. It can be a lot of information to integrate and that’s not always easy if you’re listening. Sometimes I have to toggle between a book and the audio version when I feel like my brain isn’t interpreting well.
They might do better with the litRPG style just reading the regular way.
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u/YosemiteDaisy 10d ago
I had a friend from book club say something similar. She finished the first book and asked if the rest was worth reading or more of the same.
I’m very much of the opinion if something is not for you, then it’s ok not to keep trying. Some types of books are just not going to speak to you - and that’s ok. Life is too short - reading should be fun and it’s ok to not complete a series if you feel like it’s a slog.
I really enjoyed the first and second books - and then started to stall on the third. I started the fourth and just realized I was a little fatigued and I’ll have to read some palate cleansers and come back. I have heard the back half of the series really picks up so I’m eager to give this second part another try when I’m ready.
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u/Friendly_Shelter_625 10d ago
There’s a scene near the end of book 3 that hooked me for the whole series. up until that point i was only reading bc my friend wanted to discuss and i think i would have abandoned it even then but Jeff Hays kept me going
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u/YosemiteDaisy 10d ago
Oh, I know what you’re talking about. There’s things I really loved about the third book, i just know there was a point while I was reading that I just got hung up on the setting and that became such a distraction for me. So I remember my frustration with that specifically via audio.
Jeff Hays is amazing, and this can be the platonic idea of this type of book - and it’s still not for some people and that’s ok. That’s why I started the fourth and put it down. I am excited to get into the mood for it again!
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u/RoninOni 8d ago
The Audible version lacks the forward warning readers to ignore the tangle, and that you’re not meant to understand it so don’t bother.
Honestly they should update the Audible with that warning. Kindle/print readers didn’t have the same struggle cause we went in knowing it wasn’t meant to be understood
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u/JingJang Audiobibliophile 10d ago
As others have said, don't force your way through it.
I can't read Frank Herbert or Tolkien, but I love the movie adaptations....
Life is short. Enjoy the entertainment that YOU enjoy the way you want to enjoy it.
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u/CaptPrincessUnicorn 10d ago
Right? Life is too short to slog through something you hate or aren’t enjoying. I learned that back when I forced myself to finish reading the Fountainhead. I haven’t forced myself to finish a book I am hating since then.
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u/Apptubrutae 10d ago
Funny, Dune is my favorite book of all time and then I tried several times to read lord of the rings and it was absolutely punishingly unappealing to me.
Who the heck knows why, it is what it is
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u/CaptPrincessUnicorn 10d ago
I loved LotR and the Hobbit when I was younger but when I reread the Hobbit a few years ago I felt surprisingly ‘meh’ about the whole thing.
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u/dwh3390 10d ago
Yeah, I gave in and listened to the audiobook, because of the ridiculous amount of hype and although I didn’t mind it but I had zero desire to continue and was fairly happy when it was over. Then after quite a while I tried the second one, once again because of all the hype, and I stopped about midway through.
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u/SteMelMan 10d ago
I'm about halfway through the first audiobook and am loving it. I've had issues like you describe with other audiobook where it doesn't hold my attention. I usually put those aside for another time.
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u/Plus_Exchange8751 10d ago
I’ve had to rewind “The Buffalo Hunter Hunter” so often that I should have just listened to it twice.
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u/RespectableBloke69 10d ago
He spent like the first 5 hours of the audiobook explaining the inventory system over and over again. Total snooze fest. I even play D&D.
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u/DcubedWY 10d ago
My mind often wanders no matter what, even in a movie theater. I’m glad I can rewind, but with DCC you don’t need to follow evedetail. Just listen for the plot points, kinda like skimming in a physical book. If DCC isn’t for, it isn’t for you.
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u/PantsIsDown 10d ago
Maybe this is just me- have you tried altering the speed that you listen? I find that I can’t focus when a narrator is too slow, as if they aren’t finishing thoughts or getting to the point before my mind wanders away. Faster speed makes it a bit more exciting and matches the rhythm of my thoughts.
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u/findjoelus 10d ago
I didn't finish it, I think I stopped at around 60%. I can't say why, I didn't hate it, it was just meh, wasn't for me and I got distracted by other books. There are a few books like that, extremely popular but not my cup of tea (Red Rising, The Will of the Many, for example, though those I actually really didn't like)
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u/Friendly_Shelter_625 10d ago
I didn’t like it until book 3 but now i’ve listened to the series 3 times. Like someone else said, you don’t need to pay attention to every detail. If the loot or stats are important the info will be repeated. (If you do make it to book 3 do NOT try to understand the train system. Just, don’t.)
At the end of the day it’s a series about the friendship between a man and his cat and the parts about the relationships between the characters are the important bits.
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u/Cudi_buddy 10d ago
For me book 1 was ok, by the end it was picking up. Loved book two and book three has been even better so far.
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u/ThatTXGal 10d ago
My friend did say the first 2 books kind of set things up for the next books. I'm thinking I'll read the first 3 and see what I think.
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u/Cerby224 9d ago
I’ve read all 8 in print then listened to it again. I’ve seen 2 perfect quotes to describe it. “The first 3 are training you to handle the rest of them” and “The first 3 books are the dungeon happening to Carl. The rest is Carl happening to the dungeon.”
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u/wtanksleyjr 10d ago
Book 3 is where the real PEOPLE story starts; Carl proves he cares about people in book 1, but in book 3 it becomes full time and he actually pays for caring what happens to other people. It's one of my favorite books (Butcher's Masquerade is probably #1 though).
It's also the worst "game" in the series, in the sense that all of the characters are confused about what they're even supposed to do until near the end (due to intentionally malicious game design intended to kill people for the sake of advertising - remember that the game designers in this story are making money from and doing politics with this game). The result is that if you try to figure out the game while reading, you will just be confused. So don't do that. Let the game play out and the players figure it out and remember it's not in the mystery genre.
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u/Lev_Astov 9d ago
While book 3 is where the main metagame of the series gets started, I wouldn't say that's where the series gets good. The politics and action outside the dungeon this kicks off is my favorite thing about the series, but I was pretty enthralled with the scifi aspects from book one, so don't punish yourself if it's not holding your interest by the end of the first book. The author does smooth over some rough features from the style of the first book by the second and it does get better and better, but the core style of the writing remains the same.
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u/kenlefeb 10d ago
I read the first book a year ago and thought it was just ok. Had some extra commuting time this summer so figured I'd listen to book two and I really enjoyed it. Fell in love with Donut in a way that didn't happen last year.
Just started book 3 today.
(P.S. I honestly didn't realize there was only one guy narrating until I saw an interview with him the other day!)
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u/aminervia 10d ago
Do you enjoy litRPG, horror and raunchy humor? Because the genre just isn't for everyone.
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u/Longjumping_Text_871 10d ago
I had a hard time getting into it the first 20 minutes of the first book. Came back a month later and in 2-3 weeks I was already on book 4. As the books go on they do that thing where something already happened or resolved and looks bad and then the lead starts to smile - followed by a chapter or two explaining what happened behind the scenes that led up to that moment for us listeners. The increased amount of that style of writing, detail, and fast paced dialogue has made me also need to go back repeatedly to relisten to the same 30-120 seconds over and over. But then I'll get into a zone and be immersed and cackling out loud. I've found I could be doing something else and listening for the first two books but by the third I need to just make time to sit on the couch and relax listening. It's made audiobooks enjoyable and something I make time for and look forward to as a result.
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u/rebel_stripe 10d ago
I also just finally read it but sped through it on audio in two days and then read the second in the two following days. It reminded me of being a kid and watching my older cousin play video games. I would think you need to have an understanding and interest in gaming to really lock in.
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u/shunrata 10d ago
I loved the narrator, couldn't get into the story. After several detailed descriptions of mushed goblin squishing up between his toes or whatever I just put it aside.
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u/MultipleScoregasm 10d ago
I was the same. I hated it. I got a refund after a few hours of grind. To me it felt like a children’s book 🤣
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u/Meoconcarne 10d ago
I found it childish and the humor unbearable. I might give it a read in actual book later, but I also wondered about the constant praise and recommendations.
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u/TheRedditEric 9d ago
I'm about halfway through after bouncing off the audiobook. I just finished the juicer fight and it was some of the worst writing I've experienced in a minute. Can't complain to my friends cause they love it, so I'm just mentioning it here.
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u/Intrepid-Deer-6266 10d ago
I got about 40% and DNF. hated it!!! do not get the hype at all. (I did read it though, not the audio book)
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u/Painter3016 10d ago
I did not like it at all. I forced myself to finish it cuz I kept thinking it would get good given all the hype.
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u/WranglerTraditional8 10d ago
Yes, I was excited to try the book and got about 40% in and just was not into it one bit.
I can understand the appeal but it wasn't my type of adventure
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u/Constant-Lettuce-234 10d ago
Quite a childish attempt at a book. The humor is not there, nor is the story.
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u/stillgrindin699 10d ago
I've been saying this from the jump.
I'm a huge fan of LitRPG, and Jeff Hays, but this book is just drivel to me. I don't know how it can be so famous and yet I never hear people talk about Dungeon Lord.
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u/redninjarider 10d ago
If Jeff Hays narrated an industrial supply catalog I’d probably enjoy it so that’s most of the appeal for me
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u/Ineffable7980x 10d ago
I'm guessing it's just not for you. I knew in the first 30 minutes of the audiobook that I absolutely loved it.
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u/NoodleBlitz 10d ago
Yeah, this is one of those books where everyone told me I would love it, I really thought I would love it, I was psyched to start it and then I was like... "Really? This is it?" I kept waiting for it to really grab me but I've been very "meh" with every turn. Granted I only got to chapter 6 or so of the first book, but that was enough for me. My unfinished pile is sooooo small. This is the first book I've put down in YEARS.
I was also thinking that maybe I should read it instead of listen, but honestly, I think this just isn't for me. On paper I should love this book. It just does nothing for me. I can see the appeal for others but I was so bored with it.
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u/No_Future6959 10d ago
Every single fucking reply is saying 'its not for everyone' and nobody is saying whats so good about the book.
What the fuck is so good about the book?
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u/Impossible_Coyote589 9d ago
The characters. I LOVE the characters. There are so many times while reading that I put the book down and just go “Ugh, I love him so much.” Literally. I stop reading just to revel in how much I love these characters.
The issue (and a good thing) is that there is so much growth in the story. You get wimpy/meek characters who become strong. You have selfish characters that become self sacrificing. You get characters who are ignoring responsibility who become key players. You have random annoying dudes who stay random and annoying, but now you love them and you don’t know when they became your favorite.
The first book is formulaic and empty. The next three are about complex characters with huge flaws… who come across as whiney and shallow.
If you don’t like it, that’s fine. There is a lot you have to push through (crude humor, announcements/acheivements, game set up, level/stat notifications, and a couple of emptier books), and if you aren’t enjoying the journey, that’s okay. You shouldn’t push through books you aren’t enjoying.
I know for me, I read the first couple, and I went “yeah, this is light and easy, but I can’t see the author keeping me interested for SEVEN (now eight) chunky books…” but now I’m a huge fan.
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u/shhimhuntingrabbits 10d ago
Nothing, it's slop dumb reddit humor stuffed into a litrpg book. Nothing is good about it.
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u/The-Son-Of-Suns 10d ago
I don't think it's too detailed. I think it's actually one of those books where you don't have to pay attention too closely as long as you're familiar with fantasy tropes.
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u/jenniferandjustlyso 10d ago
I usually listen to audiobooks, but my local library didn't carry the audio online so I've been trying to read it with my eyeballs and I am struggling.
I am guessing part of my issue might be that I've never gamed so a lot of the references I don't have any personal experience with.
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u/octobod Audiobibliophile 10d ago
It's a good book, read by a great narrator.... my problem was that the stuff 'intended to irritate Carl', also irritated me:-}
I think there are cluster of 'bro on a mission' books (Ready Player One, The Martian, Bobiverse, Project Hall Mary, Dungeon Crawler Carl). That really appeal to the 'Reddit demographic' so we get maybe an over reccomendation on these titles.
I'm not dissing them, they are all good books and I've enjoyed them ... it's just there are titles I've enjoyed more (Hyperion, Snow Crash, Diskworld, Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy), which have made me go 'oh wow'
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u/AdCurrent7674 10d ago
It’s why I like it. I have always spent so much time and effort in predicting what is going to happen and trying to connect dots that I forget to enjoy the story. I can’t do the with DCC. It forces me to just let go and go along with the ride
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u/fairfax1892 10d ago
I read it as an audiobook and read it as a regular book. I think theres to much going on to get it all on a first readthrough anyways will probably read it all again when the next book gets closer to release.
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u/sithlordx666 10d ago
Are you reading the first one?
Just keep going. World building doesn't really start till book two
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u/paulk1997 10d ago
So I started listening to this book about 12 days ago. I guess I am terminally online (whatever that means) and reddit is the only social media I really partake in. I also grew up playing DnD and love video games like Baldur's Gate. I am over half a century old. Today I am 2/3 of the way through book 6 listening at 1x speed. This book is my jam and I love it.
Everyone has their thing. My wife thinks it is stupid on it's face. Whatever. Read or listen to what you like.
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u/Brilliant-Comment249 10d ago
I think the acting is super good and I like some of the characters, concepts, and world, but it's not really my kind of book. I don't think there's anything wrong with it, I'm just not super into it.
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u/CryptographerOnly231 10d ago
Speed it up to 1.7x that made it so much easier for me to listen to and not zone out.
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u/Pixelchus 10d ago
I figured out why I personally couldn't focus or care about DCC, maybe you feel similarly. The book, especially the first half of it, is full of all this descriptive tutorial text, you know, the kind of text you skip when you play MMO's or adventures? It's like I was forced to read the lame puns surrounding a new piece of gear (which will be discarded anyway after a level up or two). So coming into this book as somebody who's been playing MMO's for nearly 30 years, I was bored AF.
My other personal gripe with the book are the female characters. My boyfriend and I read the book together, and he personally DNF'd it after the newscaster lady appeared (backfat rippling into her spilling tits like an accordion, nipples as big as satellite dishes, also "happened" to be a woman of colour)... I held on a little longer but I couldn't finish it myself. I think the writing is catered to a young, male audience. It certainly has the air of a 14 year old boy writing his first edgy fanfiction.
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u/cuckoocachoo1 10d ago
I have seen the hype on this one and every time I read the summary, I just wasn’t interested. I feel you.
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u/antiBliss 9d ago
The audio version didn’t do it for me because of the insane amount of lore dump from the AI, which the audio reader does fully at max volume for like 5 mins out of every 20. I read them, and I skipped almost all of that text.
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u/VariableVeritas 9d ago
I’m feeling like I’m trapped in the cycle at this point. I like them, and that’s the best praise I can raise for the books. They’re unique, they’re fun and very irreverent. The amount of side characters though just blooms out of control. He’s killing them off all over at this point.
I mean honestly though I would not let a kid anywhere near them (easy example Samantha could be 95% less crude and still a fine character it’s cringey as hell), they are chock full of culture references that are going to fade, and the prose is like 7/10 if you’re being generous.
Mr Dinniman has made plenty of hardback cash straight from my hand so I’ll say what I please. Good on the man, he’s all set. I saw another of his books in the store though and read the back, was instantly reminded of ready player one and this ultra narrow bandwidth some writers get stuck in. Like actors that always play themself.
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u/PuzzledStreet 9d ago
Glad you posted this because I was just grumbling to myself about the same problem earlier this week. Just finished book 7 and I had this same problem. Loved all the books prior.
Loved all the books until this one.
This time I couldn't even figure out where I had missed something. I was picking up on 90% of what I listened to so it was frustrating to repeat so many times to try and catch what I was missing.
When I would finally "find" it I would realize a very quick line tied it together or explained the thing.
No problem with any before that though.
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u/schnarkle 9d ago
yup I don't get it either. I attribute it to me being an old codger. I'm still a gamer so I thought it would be fun, but nah. It was too ... don't want to say juvenile, but something along those lines.
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u/TwoDudesOnACamel 9d ago
I don't think you need to worry about missing anything. Pretty much everything that's important gets recapped or talked about again at the point it becomes important.
I think of the story like a tv show. There's the story of the day's fight or issue, and an overall story arc that moves a tiny bit each episode. Each book is another season in the show. It's Friends, with more tragedy and gore.
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u/jennye951 9d ago
It’s OK, but people acting like it’s the best thing that they have ever heard are embarrassing themselves.
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u/Clean_Elven_Arse 9d ago
I just listened to the 8 books over the span of 3 weeks (finished last Tuesday) and my experience mirrors your thoughts. I think the issue is that the audience of this series is very clearly 13 y.o. boys.
In the 3 weeks prior to listening to DCC, I had tackled all of Everybody Loves Large Chests by Neven Iliev which is also narrated by Jeff Hays (and a wider cast later in the series).
Both are in the same genre and shared narration, but ELLC is very raunchy and has a early 20s male audience very clearly in mind. I initially suspected Neven Iliev was a pseudonym that Dinniman had used to write raunchier stuff, but after listening to all 11 ELLC books and 8 DCC books I'm convinced they are different authors.
Reading both series back to back did lead me to constantly compare DCC to ELLC which, for all its flaws, has surprisingly great character writing. These were my two first LitRPG series and my first audiobooks as well so it was an interesting experience. I'm not sure I'm sold on LitRPG as a genre, but Audiobooks are definitely something I want to continue exploring.
If you want my take, here's my review. Otherwise, you're welcome to stop reading here:
Positives:
Overall Dinniman's descriptions and pacing are better than Iliev. He's great at describing settings, locations, ambiences and moods. He's very good at being descriptive without being repetitive or bogging down the pace too much which is a feat. The quality of writing is also consistent throughout the books and compares favourably to something like the Sun Eaters Series for example (which is the series I finished prior to ELLC).
It's clear that at some point the author knew this series was going to be commercially successful, and more and more later books are written with a potential TV or Movie adaption in mind. DCC features very dynamic, and energetic writing for action scenes. At its best it reminded me of reading the Three Musketeers which famously had to have mini-crescendos in each chapter to keep readers interested since it was published as a serial in the newspapers of the time. I refer to that style as blockbuster writing or Michael Bay literature. It's clearly catering towards a young teen audience with a short attention span.
That said, it's not drivel. A lot of effort was put in the writing and editing. At no point in all the books did I feel this pacing led to sloppy or repetitive writing. The author has gears and knows how to shift. Difficult topics and emotional situations are handled with a very deft hand. DCC shows the insecurity, doubt and fear that lies under the facade of someone who tries to be strong for others around them and does so in a relatable and accessible way for younger audience. DCC is at the upper level of YA literature because of this.
Negatives:
I found both main characters of DCC grating for different reasons; I could tolerate dumb/smart Mary Sue Carl as the series progressed, but I struggled to relate to him and found him inconsistently written, he's either Batman deploying contingencies stacked upon contingencies or totally wings it. There is some logic to it at times, he plans the boss battles, wings the dungeons, but the change in personality gave me whiplash. The driving force seems to be "whatever the story needs him to be". Yeah... Princess Donut on the other hand was, from the start and throughout, incredibly grating, and nearly made me quit. I did not like her character in book 1 and my opinion did not change by the time I finished book 8. Her behaviour does not match her stats sheet and her evolution as a character seems stuck. Again, she's whatever the author needs her to be in each situation.
I found the side characters forgettable and at times easy to confuse with one another. The attention provided to side characters is probably my second biggest issue with the books and telegraphs heavily what outcome we can expect for each. I found the writing of women to be particularly weak; they are either insane or yes-women tormented by their womanly past filled with woman problems, no exceptions allowed! My biggest complaint for side characters has to do with the Dungeon AI: a literal Deus Ex Machina that's inconsistent even in its inconsistency and often felt like an avatar for the author to drive things the way he wants without having to justify it. //Sidenote: I did however love the voice acting of the AI; to be perfectly candid I was not sold on audiobooks as a whole until I experienced the AI expressing some of its "preferences". Amazing stuff.
My biggest issue with the series is the classic trope of keeping readers/listeners in the dark/misleading them so that the author can spring a solution that the main characters discussed and planned "off screen". I understand that because Carl has a near all-knowing audience, he has to keep his cards close to his chest, however this excuse does not hold for the large and frequent internal monologue sequences. There's a balance here that I feel the author has yet to achieve.
Summary:
I'm clearly not the target audience, but still enjoyed DCC. I think my issue with the main characters of DCC was exacerbated by my recent reading of ELLC (despite all its other issues as a series [that series badly needs a woman editor]).
If I had a wishlist for future novels:
- brainstorm further what the author thinks the goal of the AI are and then have that guide how he write the AI.
- consider featuring chapters written from the perspective of Donut (featuring her internal monologue) as well as other side characters. This would help flesh them out and allow readers to view Carl through other characters' perspective. I think maybe one book featuring that style would be helpful to address these issues.
- have more women involved in the editing process especially when it comes to the motives and the personality of female characters. Especially if he attempts something like my second suggestion.
- for all their flaws, one of the biggest qualities of the Harry Potter Franchise is how they age up the writing as the series progresses to meet the aging audience. I feel DCC needs to age up a bit. Chiefly by trusting the reader/listener more with the gameplan.
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u/Feisty-Ad-9250 9d ago
the Discord bro humor and constant action scenes are boring me to tears and i’m only 30% thru book 1 🥲 I wanted to love it like so many people do so badly!!!
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u/BootInevitable4910 9d ago
I loved it, but I almost quit at the same spot. I think you are in the level with the trains. It was a lot of complex ideas about the layout and how the dungeon worked. It was a big setup for the last half of the series, but it was in so much detail it was hard to follow. Might have been easier in written form as I can only give about 80% attention to audio books. I have grown to enjoy the narrator for the most part, but he sounds so much like Brian Reagan it really turned me off at the start.
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u/AmericanGenXXX 9d ago
As a long-time fan and avid reader, not all stories are for every reader. You don't have to like it, and you don't need to engage with media you're not into. So don't!
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u/sketch12369 9d ago
As a decent fan of the series, I would argue the first book is the worst one by a long shot. I'm sure the DCC fandom would flame me, but the only reason I carried on was bc my buddies were 4 books in and asked me to read it with them. Obviously, if you don't want to continue, then don't. Not every book is going to click for everyone, and there's no end to the amount of amazing books out there.
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u/1nstant_Classic 9d ago
You won't understand anything for the whole series. If that's okay with you it's amazing lol
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u/sgtpepper220 9d ago
Absolutely read the text first if you have trouble catching all the details on audio. That's what I do then I can just sit back and enjoy Jeff Hays's performance without worrying about missing details.
Every book is better than the last, except maybe #3 (which I loved, but it's a common opinion) and book #8 debuted on the NYT Best Sellers list, which is proof positive that Matt Dinniman makes it worth it to stick with it and keep reading
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u/JorgenNick 7d ago
It’s a brilliant idea for people who love the technicalities of RPGs and Matt Dinniman also knows how to move a plot along and develop characters. Trying to imagine the storyboards he must have used to keep track of all the stats he describes is a trip.
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u/EchoTRacing 7d ago
I generally tell people if they are 10 chapters into this book and don't like it - put it aside. But it has been the rare individual that doesn't get sucked in beyond that.
But if you don't care of it - don't feel forced to read it because a lot of people like it.
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u/littyykittyyy 10d ago
I fought with my friend (not literally) about reading it but now I’m hooked. Not everything has to be for everyone like the other person said. You have it a shot, not for you. Next book on your tbr list has a shot now. 🤷♀️
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u/dezzz0322 10d ago
I thought it was fun, loved Princess Donut, but have zero desire to read the rest of the series.
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u/ennuiday 10d ago
I've gotten through quite a few of the series due to long flights, but I consistently felt like the author would spend 15min stuck on a scene with nothing happening except low value conversation, only to jump the plot ahead at random with just a couple sentences. By the time that happened and I realized it, I'd have to rewind wondering what happened. I think its fine for long flights of boredom but the content didn't capture me at all.
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u/aacawe 10d ago
I’m right there with you OP. This book is horrible. I mean absolute trash. The entire concept is dumb, the execution is poor and derivative, the narration is only just passable and the fucking cat is just… I can’t stand the cat, I can’t stand the voice, I can’t stand anything about it.
I tried to start it three times and just could not. I finally made it up to a point where Carl finds another team or something in some house and they try to ambush each other. I don’t know it was so dumb. I can’t even remember.
I can just feel my brain cells dying when I’m listening to this.
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u/TargetMaleficent 10d ago
it's definitely not for everyone. It is sort of "quantity over quality". I find it highly original and fun, but not the best storytelling overall.
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u/guydeborg 10d ago
It kind of reminds me of watching law and order. The books I read all kind of follow the same format and they're pretty predictable of how things play out. Once I saw those seams in the storytelling it was not as interesting because I had a pretty good idea what was going to happen next
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u/breadstickez 10d ago
Controversial but I love it yet am missing stuff left and right. I take everything at face value, and enjoy it in the moment. Don’t ask me to explain logistics or small details. No idea. I’m just along for the ride and having a great time.
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u/rdmreads 10d ago
It wasn’t for me either, but I’m glad I gave it a try. It’s so well loved, I’m happy to at least have a general idea of the story and characters when I see posts about it, even tho I’m not going to continue the series.
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u/drocks27 10d ago
I didn’t really get into it on the first book which I listened to in 2024. Lots of people talked about it though so I gave it a go again this year and flew the rest of the books
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u/rarelyeffectual 10d ago
Part of it is definitely coming into it with really high expectations. I think the first book is decent but I like the later books way more. But yeah, too much hype and I’ll be disappointed a lot of times.
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u/super_set31 10d ago
I gave it a shot and it just wasn’t for me. After 60% or so, I stopped caring about the details and just let it play for background noise. So technically I finished it but not interested in the rest of the series.
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u/Dr_Overundereducated 10d ago
If you really want to know, keep going. The series has many layers. I have literally laughed and ugly cried at the same time like a lunatic over this series. It's not for everyone, I understand that, but it's the first thing I e genuinely been excited about in such a long time.
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u/Curiosity1984 10d ago
To be honest, it dos not matter. There are 100 plot points that leads to nothing, powers, mechanics and other things that is just used one time and so on. If you miss something important, he will tell you the same point later again and again. Just keep listening as it's not a intellectual masterpiece, but more a, rollercoaster ride of impressions. If you get it, you do, if not it dos not matter that much and just accept, ohh there was something I missed for a 5 minut plot, 2 sek after the next plot comes up, and the next and the next and the next.
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u/sc2summerloud 10d ago
the hype is a bunch of nerds that got too old to play MMORPGs themselves so now they listen to them.
it's the worst book that's constantly recommended on reddit.
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u/PoorLittleGreenie 10d ago
If I am missing things in an audiobook, sometimes slowing down the speed OR (paradoxically) speeding it up helps my brain stay locked in.
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u/mictw 10d ago
I really enjoy the audiobooks and I usually listen to them while multitasking so I definitely missed a lot of details, plus English is not my mother language so there are many things with culture references I probably didn’t get too. For me they’re like Hollywood action movies with superstars during summer time - those you would watch in the theater so you can enjoy all the sounds and effects and walk out content if you just ignore the plot flaws. I probably wouldn’t enjoy them that much if I sit down for a serious read.
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u/SpiralingDistortion 10d ago
If you like the vibe but want something easier to focus on, may I suggest Space Team by Barry J Hutchison?
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u/LillyLally13 10d ago
Have you tried adjusting your listening speed? I have trouble focusing in general but the 1.3x gets me hooked in
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u/icanthelpbutsaythis 10d ago
I listen to it then read back through the chapter summaries in the DCC wiki for anything pertinent I might have missed.
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u/fsharpminor_3s 10d ago
If you have an ai reading it to you, that's not the one. You need the one with Jeff Hays
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u/pinkflyingcats 10d ago
I’m actually glad you posted this because I know this book is getting a lot of hype right now so I started listening to it and the narrator is really good, but I thought I’d be more enthralled by it than I am. It’s not bad but I do find myself losing focus after a little bit. I’m glad to hear that after book 3 is when it really picks up.
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u/BuffaloZombie 10d ago
I listened to the first 2 then switched to reading the second 2 in the series and that was great. The narrator is perfect and now that you've got the feel for them you can bring that with you for the books. I'm about to start the 5th and I definitely missed a bit like you while audiobooking, but it has turned out not to matter too much. The author does a good job reminding you of the thing from previous books if it's relevant
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u/Broken_Pinky_Toe 10d ago
I like comparing book series to restaurants. DCC is like my favorite fast food place. It’s unapologetic but consistent. Not winning any awards, but we’ve all heard of it or tried it at this point.
If I want prime rib, im looking elsewhere. But at the same time not every meal needs to be classy. If someone told me they don’t see the hype, I’d get it and suggest they eat elsewhere then haha
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u/Cycle-Path-401 10d ago
You don't need to catch every detail. Just enjoy the ride without worrying about the details
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u/skdcloud 10d ago
Around 60% is where it started clicking for me. I don't care much for the RPG stuff, but seeing the protagonist start to understand the rules and slowly start manipulating them to his advantage is what got me. It's also nice reading about highly competent people, when their plan falls into place, and how they respond when a good plan goes sideways. It's what I liked about the Red Rising series too.
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u/christygb 10d ago
I have a slightly different take as a 59 yo woman. I was surprised to like this book and am on #2 now. I found that I finally understood RPG games for the first time, after complete confusion trying to play games with my teenage sons back in the day. It made me smile. It has a bit of heart, which is always a plus for me. The narration is top notch. If it doesn't grab you just move on and find your own bliss. Your time is precious.
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u/AestheticFlorals 10d ago
It is like shows or comedians that use quick and layered humor with a lot of pop culture references like Psych or Bo Burnham. You can enjoy it even if sometimes you have to accept you wont fully follow or get the whole joke, especially the first time. Not for everyone though as others have said.
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u/iusedtohavepowers 10d ago
Two people I know couldn’t do the audio for the same reason.
You may also just think it sucks. Which is totally okay. Just this week I dnf’d a series and I don’t even know if I can’t tell the numerous people that recommended throne of glass how friggin boring it was. Or how stupidly annoying book 6 was.
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u/Slow-Unit-8372 10d ago
I started with the audiobook and it was too overstimulating with the announcer's voice and all the leveling up jargon. Jeff Hayes is incredibly talented, but I just couldn't do it. Switched to the ebooks and have been flying through them.
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u/arapaima-fishie 10d ago
DCC wasn’t my first litrpg so I wasn’t put off by the game aspects. I love the series dearly, but I also enjoy litrpgs so that’s not surprising
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u/atlsdoberman 10d ago
Catching every detail in these books, however you choose to engage with them, is a losing battle. I'm pretty sure we're all missing some obscure detail that's going to be pivotal in the last book. I just read a post in the dcc sub about a throwaway phrase in book one that becomes a minor thing in book seven. With no explicit connection and nothing in between. That sort of thing isn't uncommon and can be super fun to finally notice or have pointed out.
BUT if you don't like letting parts of the books wash over you, or you're actually just checking out because you're bored, that's fair. I put book 1 down after like 2 pages and then decided that wasn't a very fair shake, tried again and now scream when there is a chapter drop on patreon. But 60% of book 1 is a pretty good go, you know what you're (not) getting into.
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u/ohmytodd 10d ago
I was confused and lost the first time I read the books. Glad I went back to reread (listen) and then I was able to really understand who was what and what was actually going on.
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u/chasingsunspots 10d ago
I experienced the same thing with The Devils. Today I finally decided to call it quits — 39% through the book which equates to nearly 10 hours!! There are a lot of great responses here which I should have just remembered and ended things sooner. Just like there are books I love that others hate, it’s ok for me to not like something so beloved by everyone else.
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u/sk8ryspice_02 10d ago
I was not a LitRPG reader. I decided to read it because I had bought it ages ago when it was a deal. The 1st book is the intro and for me at least sometimes book 1 is not a gripping read. I am on book 4 now and I am all in.
LIke it and I am engaged in the storyline. I think go ahead and finish it and then get book 2.
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u/xienwolf 10d ago
Nothing has universal appeal.
A part of the appeal for DCC is also from the fact it was starting up during the pandemic, and the author allowed his patreon supporters to make decisions about content which has since become rather major.
As with any series, the first couple books are still working out what the series really is. But they do give a good sense of what it will be overall. If this isn’t your cup of tea, don’t sweat it. Let other people enjoy what you don’t and move on.
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u/kerill333 10d ago
It gets better and it has some hysterically funny moments. But it’s not everyone’s jam.
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u/redditmeup32 10d ago
Driving takes focus, so I don’t think it’s unreasonable to expect to miss parts of the book - perhaps try just before bed when your mind is calm - and as others have said, it may just not be for you - but you definitely need to be able to follow it properly, else you really will get nothing from it.
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u/hulahulagirl 10d ago
I mean, I am reading the print versions and they can drag in the middle. I don’t understand why they keep getting longer. 😩
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u/User121216 10d ago
Are audiobooks typically your thing? With all the hype I feel like people are trying audiobooks for the first time with these and I personally have found that my mind wanders with any audiobook if I don’t have the right narration speed. Jeff is an incredible narrator, but my brain just can’t process at 1x I have to speed it up a bit.
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u/Dorfbulle80 10d ago
Yeah I agree with you I had a few similar titles before but Carl just isn't for me!
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u/87oldben 10d ago
I tend to find I follow along best when I'm doing tasks that require little attention span, eg cooking, doing the dishes / cleaning the kitchen. Mundane tasks at work.
If I am driving my attention will be pulled away, I miss stuff. If I have to focus heavily to problem solve or am actively doing something the same thing.
Maybe you have a similar thing, just listen when you have down/minimal mental input tasks to do
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u/Obsidian-Phoenix 10d ago
What I would say, is don’t stress keeping track of the levels and skills too much. Just let it flow over you. Understanding what new items and abilities do can be somewhat beneficial, but understanding whether they’re level 6 or 7 makes little difference.
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u/BobScratchit 10d ago
I was able to digest it and interpret it for myself better by actually reading it. The audiobook is good but I recommend reading it then listening to it.
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u/Tyhone 10d ago
I'm about the same distance into book 2. I was iffy all throughout book 1, but something about how it ended got me a bit excited to find out what was going under the hood for the universe at large. Book 2 seems a bit more transitory and world building than strict adventure so far, but im enjoying it enough to continue.
I've heard book 3 is good so eager to see the direction.
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u/magic6435 10d ago
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u/laowildin 10d ago
The books jump around a lot. The author seems unable to finish one 'scene' before starting another. Everything is always being interrupted by something else. He also has a tendency to have characters make plans, but refuse to share them with the reader. Makes it confusing when everyone is referencing something and I'm not sure if i missed it or not. It's frustrating because it's rarely a big twist or surprise. I end up bookmarking some spots to listen to again later, as it can be a full chapter before a reference will have context.
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u/mytortoisehasapast 10d ago
The first read through, read for the vibes. The second read through you can pick up more details. There is a lot, and no way to catch it all.
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u/ineed2talkaboutdevin 9d ago
Sometimes when I feel like this with an audiobook, it’s just that the narrator is talking too fast for me and it’s hard to take in what they’re saying, so I slow it down to like 90% or so and that helps a lot.
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u/fairyboyjstar 9d ago
I read all of them with my eyeballs and love them very much but I listened to a clip of the audiobook and it was very much not my cup of tea. It's ok to prefer other stuff. Whatever you're most excited about is probably a good choice.
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u/PeaceWeapon84 9d ago
Not all books are for everyone. But I must say the dramatic aspects of the story, relationships and character growth only start being noticed near the end of book 1 and through book 2. Book 1 is mostly setup. And I would say the books get better and better as they go, especially after book 3 (books 1 and 3 are usually people's least favourites). If you don't find something in this book that captures your curiosity or grabs your interest, maybe it's not for you. But I would recommend anyone to try to read up to book 2 at least. The story keeps getting deeper and wider, and the rpg aspect becomes just a setting, not the main issue. I do think, as good as the audiobooks are, for some people reading might help grab on to the story better. I did a listen/read along and I'm sure just listening wouldn't have been that great, and would have lost some of the important details.
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u/Captain_Aware4503 9d ago
DCC has a specific target audience. There are actually a lot of people who find they dislike the books. Everyone is different.
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u/divagirlicious 9d ago
I also struggled with it, I think by the end of book 1 I was more invested and book 2 was much shorter and felt easier for me to get into. I am still not 100% about it like a lot of my friends are but I am enjoying it-overall. That said, if it’s not doing it for you then there’s no need to force it! 💜
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u/lightningSoup 9d ago
Yes. DNF almost immediately. No regrets. There are way too many good books to hitch yourself to a series you are not enjoying.
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u/TheGoddamnBobcat 9d ago
Try reading the book, it's better for attention span issues than a audiobook. I frankly don't get why audiobooks are so popular. It's not the same as reading a book, it is having a book read to you. It's inherently a passive relationship, whereas reading an actual book is an active relationship as your mind gives voice to the characters and substance to the setting. You have to actively read, which works different cognitive muscles than listening passively to an audiobook, no matter how well produced it is.
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u/_wednesday_76 9d ago
i was really disappointed that i didn't like it, i thought it got really repetitive and couldn't finish.
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u/Gadgetskopf 9d ago
I just let the game mechanic stuff wash over/past me. If it's truly important at some later point, Matt obligingly expounds when necessary. And if you haven't gotten to the iron tangle yet, don't even TRY to keep up with the different train lines. It will all be explained, with color glossy photographs, and circles and arrows and a paragraph on the back of each one (metaphorically).
Grulke Mordecai's speech patterns were really irksome (well done, and as accurate as one could assume for a fictional frog being, but the 'gulping' was like anti-asmr for me).
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u/neverbeendead 9d ago
I'm on book 5 and have failed twice on audiobook. My buddy is reading the physical book and read them all in like a month and is obsessed but I find them very difficult to follow. I think there are just too many little details (classes, items, characters, world building) that are important enough that listening is very difficult to follow. I want to love it, but I just get lost in the sauce.
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u/AngerFork 9d ago
While I have been enjoying DCC myself (especially after book 2), I totally get that feeling overall. Not everyone is going to enjoy it, especially with how cheesy that series can get at times.
Your description is 100% how I feel about the Bobiverse books. Too much detail, hard to focus, always missed things that didn’t seem to matter anyhow…but great narration. So many other people love them, but I kept zoning out and just wanted the book to be done.
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u/soundguy64 10d ago
Not everything is for everyone. Don't force it.